Stevie Wonder Inducts John Legend Into Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame Tonight

Incomparable singer, songwriter, musician and producer Stevie Wonder will induct critically-acclaimed recording artist John Legend into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame at this year's Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl, tonight, June 22, at 8 pm. Other inductees for this year are Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of iconic rock band AEROSMITH and vocalist/entertainer Patti Austin.

Stevie Wonder is one of the most celebrated and prominent figures in popular music. At the age of 13, he was the youngest recording artist to have achieved a No. 1 single, and became the first to simultaneously reach No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and R&B Singles and Album charts. He has amassed 49 Top 40 singles, 32 No. 1 singles and worldwide sales of more than 100 million units. Additionally, Wonder has won 25 Grammy awards, a Golden Globes Award and an Academy Award. In addition to his musical accomplishments, equally laudable are his humanitarian efforts, philanthropic leadership and generosity of spirit. He has received awards from the President's Committee on Employment of Handicapped People, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Children's Diabetes Foundation and the American Association of People with Disabilities.

In 1983, Wonder spearheaded the realization of "Martin Luther King Day" as a national holiday. His participation in the 1985 "We Are The World" fundraiser for hunger in Africa was a music industry milestone, and his involvement to put an end to apartheid in South Africa is legendary. He is the youngest recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, is a Commander of France's National Order of Arts and Letters and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Apollo Theatre Hall of Fame, and the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. Upon being awarded the Library of Congress' Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, Wonder performed his commission, "Sketches Of A Life," which placed him in a very select group of eminent composers who have received Library commissions, including Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein and Paquito D'Rivera.

Wonder has been pivotal in U.S. and world events. He is a designated U.N. Messenger of Peace with special focus on persons with disabilities and continues to demonstrate the activism that has made him such a vital voice for social progress and world harmony.

Other special guests are to be announced. Proceeds from the evening benefit the LA Phil and its education programs, which reach more than 120,000 children, teachers and adults every year.

Established in 2000, the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame identifies and pays tribute to artists whose unique achievements embody the spirit of the world-renowned Hollywood Bowl. The Hall of Fameis now part of an exhibit on the main floor of the Hollywood Bowl Museum that includes photos and film of inductees over the years. The "Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame" was conceived on behalf of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association by Wayne Baruch and Charles F. Gayton, who have created and produced all of the Hall of Fame opening concerts.

The evening will feature:

HOLLYWOOD BOWL ORCHESTRA

THOMAS WILKINS, conductor

Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, inductees

Patti Austin, inductee

John Legend, inductee

Stevie Wonder, presenter

It all takes place on Saturday, June 22, 2013, 8 PM at the HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 2301 N. Highland Avenue in Hollywood.

Patron packages for this annual benefit concert include a VIP pre-concert reception at 5 p.m., followed by a gourmet dinner prepared by Patina and served in guest boxes prior to the concert. Proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Philharmonic and its education programs. Opening Night Concert packages ($2,300 to $15,750) may be purchased through the LA Phil's Special Events office. Call 213.972.3051 for details and reservations. Tickets for the concert only ($12 - $130), which begins at 8 p.m., are on sale online at HollywoodBowl.com, at the Hollywood Bowl box office, through Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000, and by credit card phone order at 323.850.2000.